Electrolyzing apparatus.



R. J. J. MUELLER. ELECTHOLYZING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED Aue.16. I9I5.

R. J. J. IVIU'ELLER. ELECTBOLYZING APPAHATUS. APPLICATION F|LED AUG. 16. 191s.

Patented Apr. 3, 1917. i

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

R'UJDULJEH J.. J. MUELLEB.,

OXYGEN COMPMY, OF SHEBUYGAN,

0F SHEBOYGAN, WISCONSN, ASSIGNR TO UNIVERSAL WISCONSIN, A CORPORTEON OlE WISCONSlI-N.

ELECTRLYZING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

rateateo apr. e, fait.

` Application tiled August 16, 1915. Serial No. 45,611.

'accompanying drawing forming a part thereof.

'lhis invention relates more particularly to apparatus for producing hydrogen and oxygen from.water, of vthe general type shown and described in the joint applications of Erroll G. Rowlands and myself Serial No. 7 55,886, filed li/larch 21, 1913, and Serial No. 809,816, filed January 2, 19111.

rll`he main objects of the present invention are to more eectively prevent commingling of the hydrogen and oxygen as and after they are evolved; to prevent escape of the gases to the atmosphere; to prevent dissipation and waste of electric current; to facilitate removal of solid matter precipifated from the electrodes and electrolyte upon the ybottom of the tank; to provide against excessive internal pressure in the apparatus; to prevent firing back from the gas collecting and delivery mains into the apparatus; to wash and purify the gases as they pass from the apparatus into the collecting mains; and generally to simplify and improve the construction and operation of apparatus of this class.

llt consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of parts as hereinafter particularly described and' pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing like characters designate the same parts inthe several figures.

Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical longitudinal. section, of anA electrolyzing element embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is an end elevation as viewed from the left relative to Fig. 1, one of the pressure regulating and safety devices in. the gas delivery connections being shown in section; and Fig'. 3 is an enlarged vertical cross section on the line 3-3, Fig. 1.

The apparatus in practice usually comf prises a number of separate self-contained elements or units like that shown, arranged side by side and connected in the usual or three, with any suitable manner, with a common source of electric current.

Each element or unit consists of a metal electrolyte tank 1, formed at the top with an outwardly projecting flange 2, and at the ends next to the bottom with openings surrounded by outwardly projecting danges 3. lit is also preferably formed with one or more, in the present case two, vertical longitudinal partitions t, which divide the electrolyte chamber into a number of cells open at the top and bottom, and. which with'the 'outer walls of the tank, constitutethe negative electrodes or cathodes of the element. Cover plates 5, are fitted and bolted with intervening packing gaskets 6, to the flanges 3, around thevend openings in the lower part of the tank. The plates 5 are formed with hand holes and with outwardly' projecting danges 7 surrounding these holes. The covers 8 are fitted and bolted with inter'- vening packing gaskets 9, to the flanges 7 The tank has an arched metal cover 10, formed with a marginal flange 11, corre.-. sponding with the top flange 2 of the tank.

Between the tank 1 and its cover 10, is fitted a diaphragm plate or support 12, which like the tank and cover, may be made of cast iron and, since it 1s insulated from the tank and cover and is not connected with the electric circuit, is a neutral member of the element or unit. lft is clamped tightlywith interposed .insulating and packing gaskets 13, of molded rubber or other Suitable material, between the flanges 2 and 11 of the tank and cover, by bolts 14, which are provided with fiber or other insulating bushings 15, 4as shown in Fig. 3. On the under side the diaphragm plate or support 12 is formed integrally with depending ,tubular diaplpgagm'hangers and gas conduits 16, corresponding in number, in

the number of cells into which the electrolyte tank is divided by the partitions 4.

The tank is preferably enlarged adjacent to the top and bottom as shown, to aflford increased space for the collection of one of the gases, hydrogen, below the diaphragm plate 12 and above the electrolyte, and a larger space for the circulation of the electrolyte and the deposit of solid matter precipitated fr0m theV electrodes and the electrolyte in the lower part of the t the present case with nuts and washers 19, by vmeans of which they are secured in sockets in the cover, the space between the threaded ends of the bars and the walls of the sockets being .filled with Babbitt metal 0r the like, to form gas tight joints and good electrical connections between the cover and the anodes.

MThe; tubular diaphragm hangers and gas conduits 16, are formed adjacent to their lowel` ends with grooves which completely surround them, and in which the uppei` ends of tubular diaphragms 20 are tightly clamped by longitudinal rods 21, connected at their ends by. perforated bars or yokes 22, the rods being threaded at their ends which pass through the holes in the bars or yokes 22, and provided with nuts by which the rods and yokes are drawn tightly with the diaphragms 20 into the grooves in the hangers 16.

The diaphragms which surround and eX- :tend below the anode plates 17 are made of enameled wire netting, woven asbestos or other similar material, which is pervious to the electrolyte and permits the free passage of the electric current between the opposing electrodes of opposite polarity, but is impervious when immersed in the electrolyte,

. to gas.

' taetwith the tubes lator tubes 25,

The tank 1, is supported on a metal base or stand composed of cast iron end members 23, connected with each other by longitudinal ties 24, consisting of iron pipe sections which may be threaded at the ends, as shown in Fig. 1, in the end members.

To prevent the grounding or shortcircuiting of the electric current, insulators are interposed between the bottom of the tank and the stand, each consisting of a flanged tube 25, of porcelain or the like,I a conical deector 26, of enameled iron or other metal, and a cylindrical block 27, of porcelain or the like.- The tubes 25 fit at the ends, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, over lugs formed on the end members 23' of the stand and on the de- Iiectors 26, and the blocks 27 are fitted into sockets in the upper sides of the delectors, the parts ,of the insulators being thus held in proper relation to one another and to the stand.y The delectors 26 overhang the insuthus preventing any .liquid which may leak from the tank or form by condensation thereon, from coming in con- 25 and thus shortcircuitmg rr grounding the tank through the metal stan For filling orf supplying the tank 1, with ochannels through electrolyte, a reservoir 28, open at the/ top, is connected at the bottom by a pipe 29 with one of the covers 8, the reservoir extending above the top of the tank, as shown in Fig. 1. The other hand hole cover 8, is-provided close to the bottom of the tank with a drain cock 30, for drawing off the electrolyte and emptying the tank.

Adjacent to the top and at one end, the tank is provided, as shown in Fig. I1, with a glass gage 31, for determining the level of the electrolyte in the tank when the apparatus is in operation.

At one end the tank and cover are provided with electric terminals, .each consisting of a threaded stud-32, of copper, brass or the like, provided with nuts and washers 33 between which metal straps or conductors for connecting the element with the electric circuit, are clamped, as shown in Fig. 1.

The cover 10, with which the anode plates 17 are removable bodily from the tank, is formed on the top with longitudinal ribs 31, having holes 35 therein, through which bars may be passed for lifting the coverwith the anodes clear of the tank, whenever it is necessary or desirable to obtain access to the interior thereof for repairs or for any other purpose.

The bottom and sides of the tank 1 below the partitions 4, are covered inside or lined, by a sheet 36, of asbestos or similar material, to prevent electrolytic action of the metal walls of the tank, and the evolution of hydrogen below the lower ends of the diaphragms 20. The asbestos lining sheet is held in place by a plate 37, of glass or the like, which affords a smooth hard surface,

from which oXid scale or dust formed on Y and dropping from the anode plates 17, and other solid matter precipitated from the electrolyte, may be readily scraped and removed through the hand holes in the cover plates 5, when the covers 8 are removed.

The partitions 4fI are formed, as shown, with openings 38, through which the electrolyte is permitted to flow freely from one cell into another, and the plates 17 of each anode being spaced apart, provide vertical which the electrolyte can freely circulate. The inner sides of. these plates being inactive, or less active than their outer sides which are presented toward the partitions 4 and side walls of the tank, and little or no gas being evolved in the spaces between said plates, the .electrolyte is caused to How downwardly therein and upwardly through the spaces between the anodes and cathodes, as indicated by arrows in Fig. 3. This circulation of the electrolyte tends to keep the solution of which it is made of the same strength or density throughout the tank, and facilitates the separation of the gases from the elecmenace trolyte and their collection in the upper part of the tank above and below the diaphragm plate or support 12, which eectively separates them from each other.

Gas delivery pipes 39 and 40, lead upwardly from the arched cover 10 and from one end of the tank 1, as shown in Fig. 1, and connect with pressure regulating, purifying and safety devices. v These devices, which are substantially alike, each consist, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, of an outer receptacle 41, which is open at the top and preferably of cylindrical shape, and an inner vreceptacle 42, which is of smaller diameter and opens at the bottom into the lower part of the outer receptacle. The delivery pipe 89 or 40 is connected at its upper end, as shown in Fig. 2, with a passage 43, leading downwardly from the upper part of the inner receptacle 42 through the bottom of the outer receptacle 41, the lower portion of this passage being preferably formed, as shown, by a pipe 44which is threaded at its upper and lower ends in the inner and outer receptacles respectively. At its lower end which opens through the bottom of the outer receptacle 41, this passage is normally closed by a screw plug 45, which affords means for cleaning said passage whenever it may be necessary.

A short distance above its connection with the bottom of the receptacle l41 and above the lower open end 'of the inner receptacle 42, the ipe 44 is formed with lateral openings 46, t rough which the as is discharged into the inner receptacle. t its upper` end each of the inner receptacles 42 is connected by a pipe 47 having a cut od valve 48 with one of the gas collecting mains 49 or 50. Fach inner receptacle 42 is provided at the top'with a test cock 51, communicating with the upper part of the gas passage 43, and each outer receptacle 41 isy provided with a glass gage 52, for indicating the level of the liquid with which said receptacle is supplied. A drain cock 53, to which the gage 52 is attached, connects it with the receptacle 414 close to the bottom thereof.

To prevent the development of excessive internal pressure in the apparatus and to avoid injury to the apparatus ork attendants in case of explosions resulting from an accidental mixture of the gases and ignition of the same by a shortcircuit spark or otherwise, the cover 10 is provided, as shown in Fig. 1, with a relief opening 54 and a safety closure consistingk of a bell 55, lioosely htting into an annular space or receptacle formed by two upwardly extending concentric walls 56 and 57 on thev cover around said opening, said space or receptacle being lled or supplied with a sealing liquid such as water.

rlhev lower edge of the bell is formed with notches or openings as shown, to permit the vice versa, when the bell rests on the cover.` or bottom of the annular receptacle in which it is inserted.

lin the operation of the apparatus as herein shown and described, the tank 1 being filled through the reservoir 28 with an electrolyte such as a solution of caustic soda, and the pressure regulating and safety devices being filled or supplied to the proper level, as indicated by the gages 52, with a suitable sealing and cleansing liquid such as water, when the electric current is turned on through the terminal connections 32, the water of the solution forming the electrolyte is decomposed by the electrolytic action of the current, oxygen being evolved at the' anode plates 17 and hydrogen at the cathodes formed by the walls and partitions 4 of the tank 1. 'lhe oxygen generated at the anodes being confined by the tubular diaphragms 20, passes upwardly therein through the tubular hangers and conduits 16, into the space between the arched cover and diaphragm plate orv support 12, from which it is conducted through the pipe 39 into one of the pressure regulating, purifying and safety devices.

he gas is discharged from the passage 43 through the openings 46 into the lower part of the inner receptacle 42 against the 4.hydrostatic pressure of the water column therein. rlhe gas produced in the apparatus and collected in the upper part of the tank is thus subjected to a moderate pressure, de termined by the height of the water column in the receptacle 41. The two pressure regulating and safety devices being filled or supplied with water to the same level, the pressure inthe gas collecting chambers or spaces in the upper part of the tank 1 above and below the diaphragm plate or support 12 is equalized and maintained substantially constant. y

y Any back pressure of gas in either ofI the collecting mains 49 and 50, will force the water level down in the corresponding receptacle 42 and up in the outer receptacle 41 until equilibrium is established, variations in pressure in the collecting mains being accompanied by corresponding variations in the relative levels of the water in the receptacles 41 and 42.

`llmpurities or foreign matter taken up and carried with the gases into the receptacles 42 are separated from the gases as they pass upwardly through the water or other liquid contained in said receptacles.

rllhe water seals through which the gases are compelled to pass to the mains 49 and 50 prevent back firing from the mains through the delivery pipes 39 and 40, and the danger from explosions in the tank from this cause. Excessive pressure in the tank or mainsis lll@ rae?" v escape through the annular space or 4recepprevented by the exposure of the water seals to the atmosphere through the open tops of the receptacles 41, the water being free to rise in and overflow from said receptacles, in

the event of such pressure occurring. Incase of an exploslon wlthln the tank or any sudden and excessive rlse of pressure therein, instant and ample relief, to avoid injury to the apparatus or attendants, is afforded through the large opening 54 in the cover, in addition to the relief aorded through the open reservoir 28 and the open receptacles 41, the bell or oat 55 forming the safety closure being 1ifted,and the water or sealing liquid and gas being allowed to tacle formed by lthe walls` 56 and 57.

The integral jointless construction of the diaphragm plate or support 12 and tubular `20 hangers and conduits 16, absolutely prevents any leakage of gas from one collecting chamber or space into the other in the upper part ofthetank, the level of the electrolyte being maintained above the diaphragms 20.

Escape of gas from either collecting chamber orspceftothe atmosphere during the normal operation ofthe apparatus, is prevented by` the gaskets 13,. which form tight joints between the flanges 2 and V11 of the tank and cover and the diaphragm plate or support 12, and also by the bushings of Babi' `bitt metal or the like between the upper ends of the hangerpbars 18 and the cover.

The design and arrangement of the tank, cover and .diaphragm support also simplify land facilitate the constructionof the apparatus and facilitate thel removal of the cover with thc anodes without disturbing other parts of the apparatus and the removal of the diaphragm support with the diaphragms.

Various modifications in minor details of construction and arrangement of parts may be'made without departing from the principle and scope of the invention as defined in the followingv claims. I claim:

1. In electrolyzing apparatus the combinaktion of a metal tank forming an electrode of y so l longitudinal l; partition forming with the;

. 2.1.11` electrolyzing'apparatus the combi# nation-of -a l metal tank provided with -a sides of the tank electrodes of one polarity,

acover for the tank provided with electrodes of opposite polarity depending therefrom between and alternating with the sidesfand 'outwardly projecting flange at `the top i partition of the tank, a metal diaphragm support interposed between and insulated from the tank and cover and formed integrally with depending tubular diaphragm hangers, and tubular diaphragms secured to the lower ends of said hangers and surrounding the electrodes depending from the cover.

3. In electrolyzing apparatus the combination 'of a metal tank provided with a longitudinal partition parallel with its sides and forming therewith electrodes of one polarity, an arched cover for the tank, elec-- trodes of opposite polarity consisting of metal plates suspended by electric conducting connections fromthe cover between and parallel with the sides and partition of the tank, a diaphragm support interposed between the cover and tank and formed integrally with depending tubular hangers andI gas conduits, insulating packing gaskets clamped between the tank, cover and dia` phragm support which hermetically separates the gas collecting space above from that below it. p

4. In electrolyzing apparatus the combination of a metal tank forming an electrode of one polarity, a metal cover of opposite polarity for the tank, an electrode electrically connected with the cover and depending therefrom into the tank, a diaphragm support interposed .between and insulated from the tank and cover and formed integrally with a depending tubular gas conduit and hanger which is formed adjacent to its lower end with an external groove, a tubular diaphragm surrounding the cover electrode and consisting of material pervious to liquid and impervious when wet to gas, rods con- 1 nected at the ends by yokes and cooperating therewith to clamp the .diaphragm at its upper end in the groove of said hanger.

5. In electrolyzing apparatus the combination of a'metal electrolyte tank `having an and longitudinal partitions forming wit the sides electrodes of one polarity, an arched sponding flange, a metal diaphragm support tting around its 4margin between the anges metal cover for the tank having a correof the tank and cover and formed integrally with depending s conduits, insulatin packing gaskets mterposed between sai support and the anges of the tank and l cover, which are drawn and held tightly together upon the asket's by insulated bolts, metal electrode pd depending'from the cover into the tank ates of oppsite polarity through gas conduits in the diaphragm support, andtubular diaphragms surrounding the depending electrodes and secured at theirupper ends' to the lower ends of the 1 lgas conduits.

6: In electroly'zingwapparatus the lcombination of a metal tank forming an electrode ico ' the lower part of the outer menace of one polarity, a metal cover provided with an electrode of opposite polarlty depending therefrom into the tank, a diaphragm sup-v port interposed between and insulating the tank and cover from each other, and torining therewith separate gas collecting spaces, a tubular diaphragm suspended from said support around the cover electrode, an open liquid reservoir extending above the tank and connected with the lower part thereof, pressure regulating devices each comprising an outer receptacle open at the adapted to contain liquid and an inner receptacle closed at the top and opening into receptacle, gas conduits leading from said gas collecting spaces into the lower parts of said inner receptacles, and gas outlets leading from the upper parts of said inner receptacles.

7. ln electrolyzing apparatus-the combination of a metal tank forming an electrode of one polarity, a metal cover an electrode of opposite polarity depending therefrom into the tank and with a relief opening tending walls forming an annular receptacle top and rovided with surrounded -by two upwardly extor a sealing liquid, a hell loosely tting into said receptacle and forming a closure for said opening, a diaphragm support interposed between and insulating the tank and cover 'from each other and forming therewith separate gas collecting spaces, a tubular diaphragm suspended from said support around the cover electrode, an open liquid reservoir extending above the tank and connected with the lower art thereof, pressure regulating devices eac comprising an outer receptacle open at the top and adapted to contain liquid, and an inner receptacle closed at the top and opening into the lower part of the outer receptacle, gasconduits leading from said gas collecting spaces into the lower parts of said inner receptacles, and gas out lets leading from the upper parts or' said' inner receptacles. y

ln witness whereof hereto aix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RUDOLPH J. J. MUELLER.

Witnesses:

CEAS. L. Gross, ALICE E. Gross. 

